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The Not-So-Purty Side of Nature

We rarely see cardinals in our neck of the woods. But in the last few weeks, hubby and I had noticed a strikingly beautiful cardinal hanging out around our house and near our tree break.

I found this today.

And this.

Fluff. Suspect Number One.

Barack. Suspect Number Two.

I've told him repeatedly, NO BIRDS, only rats and mice. But he is full of cat-titude and has refused to abide by my rules. We are sad that our cardinal is gone and quite possibly endured a heinous kitteh-style death.

I had to take the bird feeders out of my back yard because I kept finding dead birds, and thought it was our resident hawk that was killing them. Turns out it was my 50# terrier, Charity! She'd lay in wait like a cat, then pounce and actually catch them!

Too sad about the cardinal, but cats will be cats. My three used to catch the spring bunnies and play 'cat and mouse' with them, and you know how they can scream! I'd run out of the house screaming myself, trying to rescue the poor things, but they were usually too badly damaged by then.

That's too bad about the Cardinal...especially since you don't have too many around to enjoy. We have lots on our farm but it is our little Shih Tzu Chelsea who is the 'killer' around here but now that our 'city' cats are starting to adventure out of the barn we may start loosing some of our local visitors too. Oh well...what can you do as cat's will be cats and we love them too. Hope you have a wonderful day! Maura

So sorry about the bird! My kitty kills things too, usually she can't catch birds but mice and other critters she gets. Cats will be cats.LOL....love the animal talk, I do that will Pokey and Gilly sometimes, funny!!!Jane and Big Gilly

Aw, that poor little birdie :(But like you said, that's the circle of life.Those cats have the 'I'm-not-gonna-talk' looks on both of their faces. LolI wonder if they threatened the dog into silence....Something to look into!Maybe it's time to put Ringo into doggy witness protection >.<

Great to hear from you! Thanks. This is a darling post tho sad for the bird. We have cardinals and goldfinches and eastern king birds and red=headed sparrows that sing so prettily. No cats in our neighborhood. People here mostly keep them inside, declawed, fat and lazy.

How awful, but your post is really cute :) Unfortunately, since our famous Barn Kittehs arrived last year, we've seen several feather piles. Yes, Cardinals have been "keeled" too. We have a lot of Cards, but I really hate to lose even one :( And titmice. And goodness knows what else. All creatures are fed pretty well around this farm. I feed the birds. I feed the cats. In return, the cats eat my birds :( Perhaps a bell collar would help, but then I always worry the cats might get hung up on a fence. (sigh) What to do? -Tammy

Oh, so sad. His mate is probably nearby. Hopefully she will find another. My cat brings me a bird every now and then. We have a parakeet, also. Flies around and she knows she will not live to see tomorrow if she messes with him. He likes her. Funny how that works.

The Short Story

I'm a rural girl at heart who still loves a few city pleasures, including travel to local spots and far-flung destinations... with no apologies. I celebrate daily life on 27 prairie acres tending to a menagerie of animals while at the same time enjoying small doses of urban delights and island magic. I believe in homemade, handmade and homegrown.

In line with my interests, I have 3 blogs...

our Uncity life is my general, all-purpose blog about our rural and countrified life.